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Fandango Adds 300 Screens to its Extensive Movie Theater Network in New Partnership with Southern Theatres

The Nation's Leading Moviegoer Destination and One of the Country's Leading Regional Theater Chains Team Up to Offer Greater Consumer Convenience

LOS ANGELES, CA (PRWEB) October 31, 2012

October 30, 2012 – Fandango, the nation's leading moviegoer destination, and Southern Theatres LLC, a leading New Orleans-based regional movie theater circuit, announced today a multi-year partnership to improve the online ticketing experience for all Southern Theatres guests. The deal brings Fandango's state-of-the-art ticketing capabilities, services and conveniences to Southern's nearly 300 screens across the country.

“Our multi-year agreement with Southern Theatres is a strategic move forward for Fandango, as Southern owns and operates many of the most important theaters in key markets spanning the southeastern United States,” said Fandango Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Butler. “This newly formed relationship will give Southern's customers access to Fandango's popular online and mobile destinations and award-winning apps, thereby streamlining and enhancing their moviegoing experience.”

With the addition of Southern's 300 screens, Fandango will provide moviegoers throughout the Southeast with more online and mobile ticketing choices. Southern Theatres, founded in 2002, includes theaters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

“We're looking forward to our partnership with the nation's top movie ticketer, Fandango,” said Ron Krueger II, COO of Southern Theatres. “With the company's innovative mobile apps and conveniences, Fandango is top of mind for film fans when they are making their moviegoing decisions, and we expect our relationship with Fandango will be an important driver of business for Southern's screens.”

The new deal brings Fandango's total screen count to more than 20,000 screens nationwide, and follows on the heels of recent partnerships with AMC Theatres and Regency Theatres, along with strategic ticketing distribution agreements with AOL's Moviefone, Yahoo! Movies, and MSN.

Fandango just completed the best third quarter in the company's 12-year history, while mobile continues to grow as a driver of ticket sales and traffic. Mobile ticket sales, now representing nearly 30% of the company's overall sales, saw a 121% increase over the same period last year. During this past quarter, the popularity of Fandango's award-winning apps grew by 45% to nearly 28 million downloads, while overall traffic increased 24% year-over-year.

About Fandango
Fandango, the nation's leading moviegoer destination, sells tickets to more than 20,000 screens nationwide. Fandango entertains and informs consumers with reviews, commentary, celebrity interviews and trailers, and offers the ability to quickly select a film, plan where and when to see it, and conveniently buy tickets in advance. At many theaters, fans can print their tickets at home or receive them as a paperless Mobile Ticket on their smartphones.

Fandango is available online at http://www.fandango.com/, via smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, and at 1-800-FANDANGO. Fandango's top-ranking movie ticketing apps, with nearly 28 million downloads, are available on the iPhone and iPad, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7 and many other platforms. Fandango is enjoyed by more than 41 million online and mobile visitors per month. Film fans find Fandango on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fandango and on Twitter @Fandango.

About Southern Theatres
Southern Theatres, LLC, owned and operated by George Solomon, was formed in May of 2002. George has been in the theatre business with his family for over 50 years and launched Southern Theatres to develop and operate state-of-the art multiplex stadium-seating movie theatres. In April 2005, Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS) made a $30 million equity investment in Southern Theatres, LLC. VSS is a private equity and mezzanine capital fund management company dedicated to investing in media, communications and information industries in North America and Europe.

Southern Theatres, LLC, is responsible for the daily operations of The Grand Theatres, Amstar Cinemas, and the GrandLuxe Theatres in 21 locations with 292 screens in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Southern Theatres also manages The Theatres at Canal Place, an upscale dinner and a movie experience in downtown New Orleans. The Company is well positioned for continued expansion in key markets throughout the Southeast. Southern Theatres, LLC, is proud to be headquartered in New Orleans, LA.